Newly hired teachers got their first glimpse into their jobs Wednesday with new teacher orientation for the Natchez-Adams School District.

The orientation began with a breakfast at Natchez High School and a school bus tour of Natchez. It will last until the end of the week with other meetings for the teachers.

&uot;We want them to know where all our schools are located and all about our district,&uot; said Millicent Mayo, coordinator of public relations.

The Natchez-Adams School District recently hired the teachers – about 50 in all – to complete its staff for the 2001-02 school year.

&uot;I’m excited about it (and) looking forward to it,&uot; said Mary Johnson, a new teacher.

Johnson, a Natchez resident, retired from the Concordia Parish School District three years ago.

She will teach child development and family dynamics at Natchez High School this year, and Johnson says she is ready to return to work.

&uot;I’ve gotten a chance to rest and do a lot of things I wanted to do,&uot; Johnson said. said.

Superintendent Dr. Carl Davis greeted the new teachers during Wednesday’s breakfast.

&uot;Our goal is to help you have a good year in every way we can,&uot; he said.

Davis said if any of the new teachers have a problem they are encouraged to ask for help or to call his office.

&uot;That’s what we’re here for – to help you get your job done in the classroom,&uot; Davis said.

Winola Wright, who graduated from Alcorn State University this spring will teach second-grade at Morgantown Elementary School this fall.

She also did her student teaching in the Natchez-Adams School District last spring.

&uot;I hope it’s fun and exciting,&uot; Wright said about the upcoming year. &uot;And I hope I have a lot of parent involvement. That’s what I’m praying for.&uot;

Like Wright, Naomi Walton, another new teacher, said her feelings were a mixture of excitement and nervousness about her first year of teaching.

&uot;I’m not nervous about the responsibility. I’m anxious about the responsibility,&uot; Walton said.

But since she is a Natchez native who graduated from Natchez High School, Walton said she’ll feel comfortable working in the district.

&uot;It’s like one big family,&uot; she said.